Reply by Clint Searl

It would be a sin to bury that beautiful piece of wood in some godawful plastic. And don’t fill the little void; it adds character. If you can’t spray it with clear solvent lacquer, at least give it the respect it deserves by finishing with a water based floor finish like Varathane. Two light coats scuffed back with 220 drywall sanding screen followed by a good damp wipedown and two more full coats, which can be rubbed out with auto polishing compound.

-- Clint Searl....Ya can no more do what ya don't know how than ya can git back from where ya ain't been